moknight



'(N'o Model.)

F. H., G., & J. MoKNIGHT.

GRAIN SEPARATOR.

No. 269,532. Patented Dec. 26, 1882.

Tran e 3 Wineaa e a Georye Ill -71:71:10 fzi' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC FRANCIS H. MGKNIGHT, GEORGE MQKNIGH 'AND JoHu MoKNIGHT, or SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, SUMMIT ooonrv, oHIo.

GRAlN-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,532, dated December 26, 1882,

Application filed April 24, 1882 (No model.)

To all whom 1t may concern:

Beitknown that we, FRANCIS H. MOKNIGHT, GEORGE IVICKNIGHT, and JOHN MCKNIGHT, ofSpringfield township, in the countyof Sum- 5 mit and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Grain-Separators, ofwhich the following is aspecification.

The objectof ourinvention is the production of a machine simple in construction, which shall efl'ect a more complete separation of the grain from the straw after it leaves the thrashing-cylinder than the devices now in use, which shall collect and discharge the dustat the rear of the machine, and which can be successfully operated against a head wind.

Our invention consists of the mechanism hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of a grain-separator embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a plan of thesame with the covering partly cut away to show the beater-drumsand screen Fig. 3, a section of Fig. 1 at the line a a; Fig. 4, the front end of the screening-bolt, to show the manner in which it is supported; and Fig. 5, an enlarged view of a part of the conveyer-belts.

Journaled within a suitable frame, F, is the thrashing-cylinder A, above the grate B, both of which are of the kind ordinarily used in grain-separators. Within the same frame and back of the thrashing-cylinder is journaled a series of drums, C O. G 0 the peripheries of which are of thin sheet metal, having series of pins 0 c 0 c projecting radially therefrom.

Extending from the grate B to and beyond the drum 0' is a continuous apron, D, of wire-netting of such mesh as to carry the straw and coarse material, but permit the grain, chaff, through.

Beneath each drum the apron D is bent ina curve concentric with and slightly exceeding the circle described by the pins 0 0.

Motion is communicated to the drums in any suitable manner, as by belts, from the axis of the thrashing-cylinder, so that they revolve in the same direction as the thrashingcylinder.

Journaled longitudinally within the frame,

unthrashed heads, &c., to fall wire screen of different degrees of fineness, so I as to subdivide the product of the thrashed grain.

Surrounding the bolt is a metallic case, Gr, opening along its lower side'into a smaller case, H, which latter is subdivided into apartments corresponding with the grades of netting on the bolt. The front end of the bolt is open to admit of .the free entrance of air; and at the rear, in a case, G, which is substantiallya continuation of the case G, is situated a screw-fan, J, journaled concentrically with the bolt, and arranged by devices-such substantially as shown in Fig. 3--to be rapidly revolved and draw the airfrom the bolt. An endless belt, K, conveys the grain, chafi, 850., from beneath the grate B and front part of apron D to a spout, L, entering the bolt, while a similar endless belt, M, receives whatever falls through thelatter part of the apron I), and also conveys it to the spout L.

In operation, the straw and such other parts as do not fall through the grateB are, by the momentum imparted by the cylinder A, carried out upon the apron D, and by each successive cylinder C C U 0 beaten, shaken up, and carried forward, thereby completely separating all grain from the straw, the grain, chaff, 860., falling through the apron D upon the belt M.

All danger of clogging may be averted by causing each beating-cylinder to revolve more ICO vided by the respective screens and fall into the case G and smaller case, H,whence they are delivered by suitable spouts.

The entire machine is inclosed by a casing,

P, and thus the fan J is enabled to perform the further function of carrying ofi" all dust lrorn'the machine, while by arranging the fan to draw instead of to blast the air through the bolt the hinderance occasioned by a strong wind blowing in a direction contrary to the course of the straw is obviated. The coarser parts falling through the screen are, by mechanism which it has not been deemed necessary to show, conveyed back again to the thrashing-cylinder.

In practical operation it may be found advantageous to make the bolt adjustable with reference to the machine, so that it may be always inclined at the same angle whatever may be the position of the machine; and a gate may be placed at its front end to regulate the current of air passing through it.

A cast-metal or other grating may be substituted for the apron D, and some other fan may be used instead of a screw without departing from ourinvention, which is-- 1. A winnowing and separating device consisting essentially of an inclined revolving screen, an exhaust-fan at the rear end of said screen, adapted to draw the air through said screen, and a case inclosing said screen and fan, all constructed and arranged substan' tially as shown, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a grain-separator, the combination of a series of beating-cylinders, a grating arranged below said cylinders, an inclined rotating screen, an exhaust-fan situated at the discharge end of said screen, adaptedtto draw the air through said screen, and a case inclosing said screen and fan, all constructed and arranged as shown, and for the purpose speci- FRANCIS H. MCKNIGHT.

lEOltGE MGKNIGHI. JOHN MGKNlGI-I'I.

Witnesses:

U. P. I'IUMPIIREY, E. W. STUART. 

